Gladiator (2000)

When a Roman general is betrayed and his family murdered by an emperor's corrupt son, he comes to Rome as a gladiator to seek revenge.

Director:

Ridley Scott

Writers:

David Franzoni (story), David Franzoni (screenplay),

Stars:

Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen

Top 250 #63 | Won 5 Oscars. Another 51 wins & 80 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Russell Crowe	...	Maximus
Joaquin Phoenix	...	Commodus
Connie Nielsen	...	Lucilla
Oliver Reed	...	Proximo
Richard Harris	...	Marcus Aurelius
Derek Jacobi	...	Gracchus
Djimon Hounsou	...	Juba
David Schofield	...	Falco
John Shrapnel	...	Gaius
Tomas Arana	...	Quintus
Ralf Moeller	...	Hagen
Spencer Treat Clark	...	Lucius
David Hemmings	...	Cassius
Tommy Flanagan	...	Cicero
Sven-Ole Thorsen	...	Tigris

Storyline

Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Before his death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his heir over his own son, Commodus, and a power struggle leaves Maximus and his family condemned to death. The powerful general is unable to save his family, and his loss of will allows him to get captured and put into the Gladiator games until he dies. The only desire that fuels him now is the chance to rise to the top so that he will be able to look into the eyes of the man who will feel his revenge.

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Plot Keywords:

Emperor | Gladiator | General | Death | Revenge | 

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Taglines:

What We Do In Life Echoes In Eternity.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for intense, graphic combat

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 May 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Gladiators

Filming Locations:

Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, Morocco

Box Office

Budget:

$103,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£3,555,446 (UK) (12 May 2000)

Gross:

ESP 3,252,726,610 (Spain) (29 June 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks SKG, Universal Pictures, Scott Free Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

155 min 171 min (Extended Edition)

Sound Mix:

SDDS DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During filming, director Ridley Scott wore the red cap worn by Gene Hackman in the movie Crimson Tide, which was directed by Ridley's brother, Tony Scott.

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Goofs

Near the end of the Battle of Carthage, Juba runs towards a "Roman" fighter. As he runs, the metal spike on the top of his helmet waves back and forth, revealing that it's rubber.

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Quotes

Proximo: I know that you are a man of your word, General. I know that you would die for honor, for Rome, for the memory of your ancestors. But as for me? I'm an entertainer.

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Crazy Credits

Both the Dreamworks & Universal logos are altered to appear gold in color so they match the opening theme of Maximus walking through a wheatfield.

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Connections

Referenced in Rollerball (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Now We Are Free"
Lisa Gerrard

User Reviews

One of the Greatest Movies Ever

I love history, and to me, Gladiator is a masterpiece. It is the most accurate picture of the Roman Empire Hollywood has ever put out. People declare Spartacus a masterpiece, but Gladiator far outdoes Spartacus in quality. The costuming, the acting, the screenplay, the scenery, and the fighting styles made me think that I had traveled back to 180 A.D. Russell Crowe is a true Hollywood tough guy, and he is superb in this movie. Joaquin Phoenix is outstanding as a villain, one of the best in movie history. He played his character as if it were a psychologist's dream case. Connie Nielsen plays one of the strongest female characters that I have ever seen. The choreographer of the action sequences was brilliant. Ridley Scott did an outstanding job in recreating the Empire, including the multitude of ethnic groups within the Empire and accurately depicting everyday life. If you're looking for insight into what the Roman Empire was like, this is a perfect depiction.